CONCLUSIONS ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE ... - UNHCR

The Executive Committee,
1982 (Executive Committee—33 rd Session)
No. 27 (XXXIII) MILITARY ATTACKS ON
REFUGEE CAMPS AND SETTLEMENTS IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE ∗ (1982)
(a) Stressed the fundamental importance of respecting the relevant principles of international humanitarian
law as reflected in the note prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner (EC/SCP/25);
(b) Expressed the conviction that the Office of the High Commissioner can substantially contribute, within
the scope of its mandate, to the endeavours of other bodies also concerned with the problem and assist them in
discharging their respective responsibilities in this regard, while maintaining the humanitarian and non-political
character of his Office;
(c) Expressed its profound concern at the problem of continuing military attacks on refugee camps and
settlements, as illustrated by the recent tragic cruel and inhuman events in Lebanon which have rightly been
unanimously condemned, and expressed the hope that measures would be taken to protect refugees against such
attacks and to aid the victims;
(d) Welcomed the appointment by the High Commissioner of Ambassador Schnyder to carry out a survey
of the various aspects of the problem of military attacks on refugee camps and settlements of concern to
UNHCR and, in taking note with appreciation of his preliminary report on the matter (EC/SCP/23) expressed
the hope that this survey would lead to the adoption of measures which would make refugee camps and
settlements safer from military attacks than they have so far been;
(e) Stressed the urgency of the matter and hoped to receive the final report of Ambassador Schnyder as
soon as possible and to have an opportunity to discuss its contents at an early date and in any case not later than
September 1983.
∗ CONCLUSION ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER’S
PROGRAMME UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON
INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF REFUGEES
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